Joint Venture Farming Group

JVFG Events in 2018

The NFU East Midlands Brexit Conference on Wednesday 21st November at the Newark Showground will feature a presentation ‘Benchmarking Your Business” from JVFG consultant Jamie Gwatkin.

We will next gather to discuss the latest set of benchmarked data in late November in Essex, hosted by JVFG member Granta Farming.

Our summer meeting was held near Saffron Walden where, as well as reviewing latest benchmarked data, comparison of the benefits of owning or hiring machinery was one of the main topics of discussion. Thame in Oxfordshire was the location for the spring JVFG meeting to discuss the results of benchmarking costs of establishment.

We usually meet three times a year. To be invited to join us at one of our meetings, to find out where we are speaking to farmer groups at events around the country, or for more information do contact JVFG Chairman Tim Merry by email to secretary@jvfg.co.uk.

JVFG Events in 2017

JVFG members met together in Hampshire in November to discuss the Harvest 17 benchmarked results.

Our previous meetings this year were held in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. In East Hertfordshire in late June the host farm was Pelham Farming and the focus was Spraying Systems Analysis. Earlier in the year the host farm was AG Wright and Son (Farms) Ltd, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire. The subject was the Spring review of the latest benchmarked costs of establishment across all JVFG member businesses. For a taste of the discussions read the Spring meeting summary.

JVFG in 2016

Northamptonshire beckoned for our spring meeting. We had the chance to see the lie – or truth – of the land on another of our JVFG member farms. After scrutiny and the results of autumn 2015 establishment data we enjoyed a farm walk hosted by Charles Matt of the Brixworth Farming Company.

JVFG in 2015

Dorset beckoned for JVFG members for our winter meeting. Before we heard the farm performance results and scrutiny of the last benchmarked data from members’ farms for 2015, we enjoyed a farm tour hosted by JVFG member Tim Merry of JV Farming. We were all interested to see his business as he regularly leads our league for the least cost of crop establishment. As well as detailed discussion on his machinery choice and use we also examined the integration of energy generation to the farm enterprise with a visit to the AD plant operated by the sister business JV Energen.

JVFG members gathered in June to analyse and discuss the costs of establishment of their current crops. The review of data, discussion and lunch took place near Saffron Walden, Essex. Lively and productive conversations were enjoyed by all.

Our discussion events are the ideal opportunity for farmers interested in learning more about JVFG and the cost savings we are making on our farms.

JVFG in 2014

The Summer 2014 JVFG members’ event covered the establishment of autumn 2013 crops and was rated one of the best yet. Members had already submitted their figures for the autumn 2013 establishment campaign which were analysed by Jamie Gwatkin. Jamie’s presentation and member’s observations of lessons learnt formed the basis of discussions.

As winter took hold of the landscape, JVFG members gathered again to review the costs and performance data for spring and harvest work 2014. Jamie Gwatkin gave his sharp analysis of the main points from the member farms’ performance.